Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 807 (2): The Frost Chi

Although obviously unaware of the gossip between the two women, Ying Five was now addressing Zhao Changhe on a related topic. “Based on my prior encounters, I suspected it might be similar to an invasion of vicious qi or something akin to Papiyas’s spiritual illusions. You specialize in vicious qi, and as for spiritual illusions, I prepared that Soul-Shackling Chain for you. But now, it turns out neither guess was correct. We’ll have to use space manipulation instead to isolate the space around us. Didn’t you mention earlier you’ve begun learning about space? Why not use that?”

“...I don’t know how.”

“Then who was just telling me he’d grasped the basics?”

“...The technique my daughter passed to me is purely for killing.”

“Just where on earth did you suddenly get a daughter... Never mind, I’ll teach you.”

Indeed, Ying Five seemed to cope far more easily here than Zhao Changhe. This was because the disturbance here was passive—an ever-present consciousness interference that seemed to be a property of the space itself—rather than an active mental or spiritual attack that invaded one’s spiritual sea. If one could isolate oneself with spatial techniques, preventing it from directly affecting their spirit, then naturally, it posed no issue.

The spatial techniques Zhao Changhe had gleaned from River of Stars lacked this defensive side. Now that Ying Five was teaching him a defensive technique, he immediately understood its immense usefulness. Through this technique, he could form a barrier of space around his body, and this barrier would serve as a formidable protective measure during combat. It granted defenses far superior to pure body cultivation and even to vigorous qi. No wonder Ying Five managed to remain unharmed and unaffected in this harsh, icy environment, which had even Zhao Changhe suffering frostbite. It was not just the spiritual interference he was immune to. Spatial isolation truly was amazing.

Moreover, once one got the knack of it, the technique’s energy consumption would be relatively minor. Its primary flaw was the considerable focus needed to sustain it, but Zhao Changhe had spent plenty of time learning how to multitask. Therefore, even this limitation was not a significant hurdle for him.

Having already grasped the fundamentals of spatial manipulation, Zhao Changhe rapidly assimilated this new method, swiftly isolating the space around his spiritual sea. Immediately, the maddening whispers seemingly coming from an ancient god vanished, and the world abruptly fell silent. Without further hesitation, the two stepped resolutely into the cave.

Upon entering, they immediately discovered this was not merely a cave. Instead, it was an abyss.

Its depth stretched down for at least a thousand zhang, and its walls were entirely encased in shimmering ice. Mysterious and unknown sources of light refracted through the ice, casting dazzling illusions of countless colors. It appeared mesmerizingly beautiful yet hauntingly sinister.

The intense cold here had notably lessened compared to outside. Conversely, the maddening spiritual assault intensified exponentially, far exceeding the pressure they faced outside. Evidently, whatever entity or force had been sealed here had been restrained by extreme cold. Yet now, the chill had waned and was unable to hold it back any longer. As the suppression of frost weakened, the horrific spiritual disturbance grew progressively stronger.

Directly below, at the center of the abyss, lay a massive icy pool, bristling with jagged ice spikes. Like stone spears piercing the sky or chains crisscrossing chaotically, they imprisoned a hornless ice dragon[1]. Around the frozen pool, faint traces of a mysterious tortoise-shell pattern shimmered indistinctly, appearing almost completely eroded.

The ancient Black Tortoise had sealed the Frost Chi here.

Crack...

With the sharp snapping sound of ice, the Frost Chi threw back its head and let out a long, savage howl.

Instantly, razor-sharp ice shards shot through the air, and a piercing chill surged anew.

Even shielded by his spatial barrier, Zhao Changhe felt his very soul freeze, his thoughts slowing to a crawl. It seemed the Frost Chi’s active powers far exceeded the passive cold outside.

He rapidly swung the Dragon Bird, slicing through the storm of ice shards, then descended from above, bringing his saber crashing down toward the Frost Chi’s skull.

“Heh...” The Frost Chi suddenly transformed into human form, breaking free of the icy chains that had restrained it. A palm formed of profound ice grasped Dragon Bird’s blade, firmly locking it in place.

Ying Five’s fist swept out from the side in a deceptively simple strike.

The Frost Chi emitted a soft sound of surprise, twisting its body just enough for Ying Five’s fist to brush past harmlessly. The seemingly mundane force struck the icy wall beside the pool silently, leaving a gaping hole behind.

“This generation’s heroes... are indeed worthy of my attention.” The Frost Chi’s human visage—a fairly handsome male face—was grim, its eyes cold and calculating. “You two... could you be Zhao Changhe and Ying Five from the Rankings of Troubled Times?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “So, you’re trapped here yet you still keep up with the Rankings of Troubled Times? And you still haven’t gone mad?”

“Madness may afflict any being but not those born of ice.” The Frost Chi sneered frostily. “This is precisely why a certain someone decided to sacrifice me to seal this pit.”

“There’s no need to be vague about it. Isn’t it just that rotten blind woman? Aside from looking pretty...”

“Blind?” Frost Chi interrupted him sharply. “She is far from blind. Perhaps we’re not talking about the same person. Someone like you will never understand how terrifying she truly is.”

Zhao Changhe awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, realizing he could not sense his Back Eye, and sighed deeply. “Since it was the old Black Tortoise who sealed you, then when you say a certain existence, you must be referring to Ye Wuming.”

The Frost Chi’s expression turned oddly complicated. “So you’re actually calling Ye Wuming... pretty?”

“Is she not?”

“Perhaps she is, but I never thought anyone would use such trivial terms for her.” The Frost Chi seemed uninterested in commenting further on another’s appearance. Yet, as it spoke, a malicious glint sparked within its eyes. “Unfortunately, neither of you is Ye Wuming, nor the Vermillion Bird, nor indeed the Black Tortoise. You’ve conveniently appeared here just in time to provide me with the energy I require to break the last of this seal.”

Ying Five’s voice turned icy as he said, “Then, thirty years ago, the fact that the Black Tortoise’s qi leaked wasn’t because the seal itself was losing energy. Instead, it was you deliberately baiting others into becoming your nourishment.”

“Isn’t that obvious?” The Frost Chi snarled viciously. “Why would I expel the Black Torotise’s qi beyond the spatial boundary? Clearly, it was intended to lure fools like you here. Ah, now that you mention that... You look somewhat familiar. You were one of those idiots who got tricked back in the day, weren’t you? I distinctly remember manipulating someone into self-detonation. Another one stood in front of you all, shielding you and ending up blown to pieces. At least six or seven died that day. Their cultivation was rather impressive; the fact that I’ve nearly broken free owes partially to your generous contributions.”

Ying Five’s face betrayed no emotion, but his clenched fists cracked audibly.

Zhao Changhe glanced at him, suddenly recalling their battle with Maitreya long ago. When Venerable Duoluo detonated himself, Ying Five had foreseen it and shielded everyone in advance.

Back then, he said it was something he’d seen before.

The tale behind Ying Five was not complicated. It was merely a common story of jianghu treasure-seekers entering a secret realm and being tricked by an ancient god into total annihilation... as one does. Zhao Changhe had read enough novels to know this was a thing. Yet, when such a story actually happened to oneself, when one helplessly witnessed sworn brothers sacrifice themselves, leaving not even bones behind... Only then could one grasp how piercingly deep that hatred would be, and why it would still feel fresh and raw even after thirty years.

Especially since this tragedy was not due to the dangers inherent to the secret realm but intentionally orchestrated. Even the manner of killing chosen was the fastest, cruelest, and most ruthless.

Rumble!

Amid their conversation, the Frost Chi’s aura rapidly surged, intensifying until the entire abyss trembled violently. The already faint outlines of the Black Tortoise’s shell had nearly faded completely from view.

The seal was about to shatter.

“The fight you had outside also helped me up, weakening the seal further!” The Frost Chi threw back its head, laughing wildly. “How does that feel, gentlemen? You are here for vengeance, yet your very intent to destroy me is helping me escape! Are you regretting it yet?” freēnovelkiss.com

Its laughter had yet to cease when a massive broad saber descended fiercely from above, slashing toward its head with incredible momentum. “Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty? Even the idea of Ye Wuming scares you enough to make you refer to her as ‘a certain someone.’ A pathetic wretch like you should just stop pretending to be someone important!”

Clang!

The Frost Chi raised an arm to block, only to discover that the saber, easily halted moments ago, now sliced deeply into its forearm, carving a bloody gash. Its heart jumped in alarm, gaze shooting upward to meet Zhao Changhe’s blood-red eyes, eyes far more savage and violent than any ice beast in this abyss.

Zhao Changhe had abandoned his spatial defenses, pouring every ounce of his consciousness into unleashing his strongest possible strike.

Ying Five, who was just about to explode in rage himself, stood momentarily dumbfounded. “You dropped your spiritual protection... Why?”

Zhao Changhe grinned viciously, eyes blazing with bloodthirst. “I don’t need it when I’m killing. Fifth Brother, you better support me from a distance. Soon, even you may not recognize me...”

After all, Zhao Changhe always had a crude yet effective method for resisting spiritual invasion and assaults. When the vicious qi overtook his consciousness, nothing could penetrate his mind. Because at such moments, he had no thoughts left but slaughter.

No Man’s Land.

Ying Five stared blankly at Zhao Changhe’s frenzied assault, sighed helplessly, and withdrew his intended ultimate strike. He stepped several zhang back, and a copper coin appeared between his fingers, which he suddenly flicked directly toward the Frost Chi’s eyes.

In all fairness, this was probably the best way to address things. A Zhao Changhe that abandoned defense entirely to enter a berserk state was undoubtedly several times stronger than a defense-oriented Ying Five.

Observing from afar, Ye Jiuyou frowned slightly, puzzled. “He’s only here to help Ying Five. Why is he fighting even harder than Ying Five himself?”

Piaomiao gazed silently at Zhao Changhe for a long moment. Her expression was unreadable and she ultimately offered no reply.

1. The reason “hornless” is specified is that Chinese dragons have deer-like horns and two small limbs with three to five claws. Missing either means it’s not technically a dragon but a lesser species. ☜

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